Apparatus for coating metal plates.



Patented Aug. 5, |902.

G. B. HAMMOND 81. T. DENNIS. APPARATUS FDR COATING METAL PLATES.

(Application med Aug. 2S, 1901.)

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Nu. 706,408. Patented Aug. 5, |9112, G. s. HAmmoun L T. Daams. APPARATUS FOR GOATING METAL PLATES.

(Application tiled Aug. 28, 1901.)

(No Model.) 3 Shams-Sheety 2.

Patented Aug. 5, |902. G B HAMMOND & T DENNIS APPARATUS FOB COATING METAL PLATES.

(Application led Aug. 23, 1901.)

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witness TTED STATES PATENT. OEEICE.

GEORGE BROWN HAMMOND AND THOMAS DENNIS, OF NEATH, ENGLAND; SAID DENNIS ASSIGNOR TO SAID HAMMOND.

APPARATUS FOR COATING METAL PLATES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 706,408, dated August 5, 1902.

Application filed August 23, 1901. Serial No. 73.060. (No model.) I

To all wtont it' mayportcern:

Be it known that we, GEORGE BROWN HAM- MOND and THouAs4 DENNrsjsubjects of the King of Great Britain andreland, residing at Neath, in the county of Glamorgan, England, have invented certain new Vand useful Improvements in Means or Apparatus for Use in Connection with the Coating of Metal Plates or Sheets with Tin, Lead, or other Metals or Alloys; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others.

skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. f

Our invention relates to the coating of metal plates or sheets with tin, lead, or other metals or alloys, andhas reference to means for feeding the plates into the coating-bath or pot, moving the plates throughthe said bath or pot, raising them to the rolls at the delivery end of the pot, and removing them from the said rolls and deliveringthem where required. According to our invention theseoperations are mechanically performed. p n

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which like letters of referencedesignate corresponding parts in the severalviews, Figure l represents a side elevation of our apparatus, partlyin section and with parts broken away. Fig. 2 represents a plan View of the device, the upper parts being removed. Fig. 3 represents a transverse section, on an enlarged scale, taken' on the line 3 3 of Fig. l

looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 4L represents a similar view taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. l, also looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 5 represents a sectional view taken through the guide-rails and showing the shape of the same. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the gripper, also on an enlargedscale. Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view through the same, showing it closed. Fig. 8 is a similar View to Fig?, but showingA the gripper open. Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the gripper-arm detached from the casing. Fig. l0 represents a side view and plan of one of the conveyerchains. Fig. ll is a side elevation of the device for pushing the plate through the bath looking at the side opposite to that shown in Fig. l. Fig. l2 is a plan of a part of the gearing. Figl is aside elevation of the cam-plate for closing the grippers, and Fig. ltis a similar view of thecam-plate for opening the grippers.

The essential features of the invention are a pot or tank b for the bat-h, a conveyer-frame a, extending over one'end of thepot h and supporting the mechanism for conveying the plates to be coated to the bath, a device for pushing the plates through the bath in the 6o pot b, means for lifting the plates-from the other end of the pot, and a secondconveyer for removing the plates therefrom.`

To the frame a, are secured guide-rails c,

(shown in cross-section in Fig. 5,) the said rails being arranged vertically ateach end of the framed and horizontally in the middle thereof. At each end of the guide-rails c are arranged sprocket-wheels d and d3, (shown in dotted lines,) 'and at Veach of the angles of the 7o said guide-rails are similar sprocket-wheels d', d2, ligand d5. Within' the guide-rails c and over the said sprocket-wheels pass the conveyer-chains @,which are formed as shown in Fig.,10, having antifriction-rollers e at havingthe gripper-arm H2 and the tailpiece 8o H3. Within the frame his arranged a sliding 'frame hf), within which is arranged a spring IL10, tending to press said frame downwardly to the position shown in Fig. 8. In the upper end ofthe frame h is formed an inclined plane hu, terminating in a point k12, which when the parts are inthe position shown in Fig.` 8 bears upon a block h2, extending inward from the tailpiece H3, thus holding this block down and the gripper-arm H2 open, as 9o will be readily understood.

A pin h3 extends from one side of the block h2 through a slot h4 in the casing h, and a similar pin hl extends from an arm hon the frame H through a slot hs'in the other side 95 of the casing, by means of which `pins the frame H may be moved about its pivoth' to open or close the gripper-arm H2. When the gripper-arm is closed, as shown in Fig. 7,

the inclined plane h5 on the block h2 rests loo upon the inclined plane h, the spring hm holding the parts in this position.

' the two lugs.

On one side of the frame a, near the beginning of the rails c, is secured a cam-plate t, having the cam il extending outwardly in the proper position to engage the pin ha as the gripper passes this point.

The plate to be coat-ed (shown by dotted lines at fr) is held in any suitable support y, close to the frame a. The gripper His open while approaching the plate the plate passing'between the gripper and the arm As the gripper starts upwardly the cam t7 engages the pin h3, moving the latter outwardly and closing the gripper-arm Irls upon the plate an. Thsbrings the parts of the gripper to the position shown in Fig. 7-72. e., the gripperarm closed firmly upon the plate al. The chain e is driven in the direction of the arrow and carries the gripper and plate to the other end of the frame a, where it passes down the vertical part of the guide-rails c, where there is secured a second cam-plate j, having a cam j', adapted to engage the pin h7 andy open the gripper-arm H2, thus releasing the plate ac.

Over the end ot' the pot b is arranged the flux-box s, into which the plate passes as it comes down the vertical part of the frame a and which guides the plate between the guiderails b in the pot b.

Arranged longitudinally over the pot b, alongside of the fiux-box s, is a rail m, on which is arranged to slide a block N, having a downward and forward extension n, with a transverse piece n' extending across the path of the plate as shown in Fig. 3. On one side of the block N are arranged a pair of lugs n2 and n3, which extend laterally from the side of the block, leaving a space between The lug n2 extends somewhat above the block N, and the lug n3 extends somewhat below the block. A pair of guiderails k, similar to the rails c, are arranged parallel with the rail m, and a sprocket-chain k', passing over the sprocket-wheel Z on an upright O, and the sprocket-wheels Z', Z2, and Z3 run through these guide-rails 7c. The chain la is'provided with a pin 7a2, adapted to engage the lugs 'n2 and n3.

As the chain c' is driven in the direction of the arrows the pin k2 passes downward on the vertical part of the chain beneath the lower end of the lugfn2 and engages the lower end of the lug n3, by means of which it pushes the block N along the rail m, the cross-piece fn' pushing the plate m through the bath-pot b. When the chain passes around the sprocket Z3, the pin passes upwardly between the lugs n2 and n3 and engages the upper part of the lug n2, thus carrying the block N back to the starting-point.

Above the path of the block N is pivoted, as at p, on an upright p a lever P, the lower end 192 of which is weighted and lies in the path of the lug 'n2 on the block N.

lever P, raising the lower end 192 thereof,

which lower end will fall back behind the lug n2, and when the block N moves backward the said lug will engage the end p2 of the lever P, moving it backward, thus turning the said lever about its pivot p and causing the upper arm thereof to impinge against a stud p3 on a leverp4 and actuate the latter for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

In the bottom of the bath-pot b is arranged a trough t, in which the lower edge of the plate :c rests, and adjoining this at one end of the pot is a cradle q of the same shape in crosssection as the trough if and supported upon a rod q', depending from one end of the lever p4. This lever p4 is pivoted above the pot b at a point p5 and has connected to one end thereof the rod q', which passes through a Slot in a plate p6, upon which this end of the lever p4 may rest, and the other end of this lever p4 is bent downwardly and provided with a stud p3, with which engages one arm of the lever P.

Above the end of the pot b, in which is situated the cradle q, are arranged a set of roliers B, which are geared together and driven by a gear-wheel r11 on a shaft T10, which latter is provided with a worm-wheel r9, driven by a Worm rs on the main driving-shaft r* of the machine.

Above the set of rollers B is arranged a frame a', similar to the frame a, having guiderails f, similar to the guide-rails c, and chains g,similar to the chains'e,run over the sprocketwheels d6, 617, and d8 and pass through the guide-railsf. These chainsare also provided with grippers I-I, and the vertical part of the IOO frame ct has a cam-platea, with a cam if placed in position to close the said gripper H as the latter starts upward. The horizontal portion of the frame a', the rails fand chains g are broken away; but the outer ends of the frame and rails terminate in a vertical portion, like the inner end of the frame a, provided with a cam-platejand camj for opening the grippers H when they pass the outer end of the frame.

The machine is driven from a main shaft W, having a pulley R, to which motion is transmitted from any suitable source of power and which is provided with a pinion r6 and a Worm rs, the latter driving the wormwheel r9 and shaft T10 and the former meshing with the gear-wheel T5, which turns the small gear-wheel r4, meshing with the gearwheels r2 and r3. The gear-wheel r2 turns the sprocket-wheel r and the gear-wheel r3 turns the sprocket-wheel r'. (See Fig. l2.) The sprocket-Wheel 'r drives the chain e2, which drives through any suitable gearing the chain e, and the sprocket-wheel r drives the chain g2, which drives the chain g. The chain 7s is driven by a chain k3 from a sprocket-wheel Z5 on the shaft of the wheel d3, which chain turns a sprocket-wheel Z6 on the shaft of the wheel Z3.

The operation of the machine is as follows: The plates to be coated are taken from a rack IIO y by the grippers II and are carried over the frame a by the chains c, being released at the inner vertical end of the frame by the camj, which opens the gripper Il, thus allowing the plate to slide through the flux-box s between the guide-rods b and drop into the trough t at the bottom of the pot b, which contains the bath for coating the plates. The movements of the several chains are so timed that when the plate drops into the trough t the pin 7a2 on the chain 7o' will engage the lug n3 on the block N and push the latter along the guide-rail m, the extensions n and n' of the block N pushing the plate it* through the bath in the pot b until it rests in the cradle q. At the end of the forward movement of the block N the lug n? passes beneath the weighted end of the lever I), and at the beginning of its return movement it actuates the said lever, causing it to impinge against the pin p3 on the lever p'L raising the end of the latter, to which is connected the rod q. This will raise the cradle q, and with it the plate the upper end of which passes between the guide-plates b2 and between the lower pair of rollers B, which are turning in the direction to carry the plate upward between the other pair of rollers B. These rollers continue to move the plate upward until the upper edge thereof enters beneath the open arm Irl2 of the gripper H, which is descending on the chain g at this time and reaches its lowest position at the time the plate enters beneath the arm H2. As the gripper begins its upward movement the arm Irl2 is closed by the cam i', thus gripping the plate u; and carrying it up and away on the chain g. The chain g may be arranged to deliver the plate to any suitable place, where a cam similar to the cam j is arranged to open the gripper-arm. The delivery end of the chain g is not shown, as the arrangement of such end is the same as at the end of the chaizr; e, which delivers the plates to the bathpot 4 The grippers are so arranged upon the chains that they act in harmony with the pusher, so that the cycle of operations is carried on continuously. The position of the grippers can be changed according to their number and to the sizes of the plates to be coated.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In a machine for coating plates, the combination with a bath-pot and means for conveying plates to and from same, of means movable longitudinally of said bath-pot for pushing the plates therethrough, and means engaging said pushing means for alternately moving the same forward and back again to its initial position.

2. In a machine for coating plates, the combination with a bath-pot, of conveyer-chains and means cooperating with said conveyerchains for automatically delivering the plates to the bath-pot, moving the same longitudinally therethrough, and delivering the plates to one of said conveyer-chains.

3. In a machine for coating plates, the combination with a bath-pot, of conveyer-chains for conveying the plates to and from said bath-pot, means for pushing said plates longitudinally through said bath-pot, means for elevating said plates from said bath-pot, and means coperatin g witlisaid conveyer-chains, engaging and automatically operating said pushing and elevating means.

4l. In a machine for coatingl plates, the combination with a bath-pot; of a rail above said bath-pot, a block on said rail, an extension on said block for pushing plates through said bath-pot, and means for propelling said block along said rail, substantially asdescribed.

5. In a machine for coating plates, the combination with a bath-pot; an endless chain arranged to travel above said pot, grippers upon said chain, means for closing said grippers upon a plate, and means for Opening said grippers when over said pot to drop said plate in the pot; of a rail above said pot, a block sliding on said rail, an extension on said block for pushing said plate, and means for propelling said block along said rail, substantially as described.

6. In a machine for coating plates, the combination with a bath-pot; and a cradle in said bath-pot; of means for conveying plates to said bath-pot, means for pushing said plates through said bath-pot into said cradle, means for raising said cradle, a set of rolls for lifting the plate from said cradle, and a conveyer for removing the plate from said rolls, substantially as described.

7. In a machine for coating plates, the combination with a bath-pot; a conveyer for placing the plates to be coated in said pot, of a block arranged to slide above said pot, an eX- tension on said block for pushing said plates through said pot, a cradle in said pot for receiving the plates, a lever operated by said sliding block for lifting said cradle, a set of rolls for lifting the plate from the cradle, and a conveyer for removing the plates from said rolls, substantially as described.

8. In a machine for coating plates, the combination with a bath-pot, a conveyer for placing the plates to be coated in the pot, a block arranged to slide above said pot, an extension on said block for pushing said plates through said pot, a cradle in said pot, a lever p4 to which said cradle is attached, a weighted lever in the path of said sliding block adapted to act on the lever p4 to lift said cradle, a set of rolls for lifting said plate from said cradle, and a conveyer for removing said plates from said rolls, substantially as described.

9. In a machine for coating plates, the combination with a bath-pot, a flux-box above saidbath-pot, g-uide-bars, and a cradle in said bath-pot; of means for conveying plates to said bath-pot, means for pushing said plates through said bath-pot into said cradle, means IOO' IIO

for raising said cradle and means for removing the plate from said cradle, substantially as described.

l0. In a machine for coating plates,the combination with a bath-pot, of a rail above said pot, a block arranged to slide on said rail and having an extension extending into said pot, lugs on said block extending above and below the same, a chain running and returning parallel with said rail and having a pin adapted to engage said lugs and move said block forward and backward along said rail, substantially as described.

11. In a machine for coating p1ates,the combination with a bath-pot, of a rail above said pot, a block arranged to slide on said rail and having an extension extending into said pot, lugs on said block extending above and below the same, a chain running and returning parallel with said rail and having a pin adapted to engage said lugs and move said block forward and backward along said rail, a lever p4 connected with the said cradle, a lever I) arranged in the path of one of the lugs on said sliding block and adapted to actuate the lever p4 to raise said cradle, substantially as described.

12. In a machine for coating plates the combination with a bath-pot; of conveying means operating adjacent thereto,comprising a movable frame, a gripping-jaw pivoted thereto, provided with an inwardly-projecting lng, and a sliding lock adapted to engage said lug for holding said jaw in its open or closed position and means located in the path of said movable frame for opening and closing said gripping-jaw.

13. In a machine for coating plates,the combination with a bath-pot; of conveying means operating adjacent thereto,comprising a movable frame, a gripping-jaw pivoted thereto, provided with an inwardly-projecting lug having a beveled end, and a sliding lock provided with a beveled point adapted to alternately engage said lng on its upper and beveled face for holding said gripping-jaw open and closed, respectively; and means located in the path of said movable frame for opening and closing said gripping-jaw.

14. In a machine for coating plates,the combination with a bath-pot and conveyer-chains located adjacent thereto; of gripping devices carried by said conveyer-chains comprising a slotted frame,a gripping-jaw pivoted thereto and provided with pins operating in said slots, and a sliding lock for holding said jaw in its open or closed position; and means located adjacent the path of said conveyerchains adapted to engage said pins for opening and closing said gripping-jaw.

In testimony whereof We affix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE BROWN HAMMOND. THOMAS DENNIS.

Witnesses:

H. P. CHARLES, J. W. PHILLIPS. 

